In the autumn of 2011, Nathan Hardy had his wish granted. Now he hopes to help grant about a dozen wishes for other kids in need throughout the province.

It was in September of 2011 that Hardy's wish was granted through the Northern Alberta branch of the Make-A-Wish Foundation - a backyard skateboard park.

Hardy, a 14-year-old Riverview Middle School student, is suffering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, which he was diagnosed with in February of 2011. He's still undergoing treatment, but he managed to find the strength to participate in the filming of a video for this year's United Farmers Of Alberta (UFA) Small Town Heroes competition.

The video, put together by a coalition of local residents, celebrities, (including Kym Simon and Canada's Got Talent's Laheeb Quddusi) and politicians (mayor Anita Fisher) has now been entered into the contest and can be voted for over the Internet.

The contest is being run in stages, the first of which ends on July 22. If Devon's video survives through both the first and second round, and ultimately wins, the town will be treated to both a concert by country music star Paul Brandt, and $10,000, every cent of which will go back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The contest's eight runners up will receive $2,500. The hope is to give back to the organization that helped to provide a bit of light during a dark time in Hardy's life.

"Nathan is a fighting source of inspiration," said Krishna Taylor of the Make-A -Wish Foundation. "He has shown every child in Devon how to be a hero. He has agreed to be our nominee as a way to use proceeds to give back to sponsor more wishes."

The effort is being helmed by Laurie Keindel, a Direct Energy volunteer of the year, a longtime Make-A-Wish volunteer and a Devon resident serially involved in such efforts.

Keindel thanked Hardy for his participation.

"We are crazy proud of him. We came to him and asked him to be the hero of this town, and that's scary stuff, and I'm just so impressed that he said yes," said Keindel. "A potential 18 more wishes could happen because of this."

The video was screened at noon on Wednesday, July 4 in the town council chambers where the Hardy family, members of council and town administration as well as Make-A-Wish and UFA representatives had gathered.

Coun. Dan Woodcock spoke in support of the effort on behalf on council.

"Council is pretty excited about this," said Woodcock. "The bottom line for me personally is that this is a heck of a community and we have this young man who is stepping up to the plate and making us all proud."

For more information on the contest, check out www.ufa.com, and follow the links to vote.